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Designation: C1698 − 09

StandardTest Method for

Autogenous Strain of Cement Paste and Mortar1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1698; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement

1.1 This test method measures the bulk strain of a sealed Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
cement paste or mortar specimen, including those containing C403/C403M Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete
admixtures, various supplementary cementitious materials Mixtures by Penetration Resistance
(SCM), and other fine materials, at constant temperature and C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for
not subjected to external forces, from the time of final setting Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical
until a specified age. This strain is known as autogenous strain. Testing of Hydraulic Cements
Autogenous strain is most significant in concrete with low 2.2 API Specification4
water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) (See Note 1). RP 10B-2/ISO 10426-2 Recommended Practice for Testing
NOTE 1—A low water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) can be Well Cements
considered to be a water to cement ratio of 0.40 or lower for this test.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3. Terminology
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 3.1 Definitions:
standard.
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1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
to Terminologies C125 and C219.

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safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 autogenous strain, n—the bulk strain of a sealed
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
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specimen of a cementitious mixture, not subjected to external
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh
forces and under constant temperature, measured from the time
hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause
of final setting until a specified age; negative strain corresponds
chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2) to shrinkage and positive strain corresponds to expansion.
ASTM C1698-09
2. Referenced Documents 4. Summary of Test Method
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2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.1 A specimen of freshly mixed paste or mortar is prepared
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag- using a corrugated mold that offers little resistance to length
gregates change of the specimen. The mold is sealed to prevent moisture
C157/C157M Test Method for Length Change of Hardened loss and the specimen is stored at constant temperature.
Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete Starting at the time of final setting, the length of the specimen
C191 Test Methods for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement is measured using a dilatometer. The change in length is
by Vicat Needle recorded at regular time intervals until the designated age. The
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test change in length and original length of the specimen are used
Specimens in the Laboratory to compute the autogenous strain.
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
5. Significance and Use
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on 5.1 Autogenous strain is the self-created bulk strain of
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee cement paste, mortar, or concrete during hardening at constant
C09.68 on Volume Change.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published November 2009. DOI:
temperature. In conventional concrete, autogenous shrinkage
10.1520/C1698-09. strain is generally negligible, but in concrete with low water-
2
Section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing, cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) or with silica fume it may
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L. St., NW,
the ASTM website. Washington, DC 20005-4070, http://www.api.org.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C1698 − 09
be considerable (1).5 Restraint of the autogenous strain by
aggregates or adjoining structural members may result in
formation of micro and macro cracks that impair strength,
durability and aesthetics. Cracks may also be a problem with
regard to hygienic cleaning of surfaces.
5.2 An accurate measurement of the autogenous strain of
cementitious mixtures with low w/cm is important for evalu-
ating the risk of early-age cracking of concrete structures.
Measurements of autogenous strain have been carried out using
either volumetric or linear methods. Both methods may show
evidence of significant artifacts (1); therefore, results of the
two methods may disagree considerably if not carried out
properly.
5.3 A sealed, flexible corrugated mold system (2) combines
the advantages of linear and volumetric measurement of
autogenous strain, while avoiding most of their disadvantages.
The mold effectively prevents moisture loss and minimizes
restraint to volume change during hardening. Moreover, results
obtained with the corrugated mold system agree with those
from the volumetric method, once some artifacts, in particular
water absorption through the membrane used to contain the test
specimen, have been eliminated in the latter (3,4). The corru-
gated mold system is easier to use and shows better repeatabil-
ity than the volumetric technique (3,4). Measurements with the
5.5 The autogenous shrinkage strain of mortar specimens
will be less than that of paste specimens for the same w/cm.
The autogenous shrinkage strain of concrete will be less than
that of mortar for the same w/cm. The nominal maximum
aggregate size for mortar used in this test method is 4.75 mm.
6. Apparatus
6.1 The apparatus to measure autogenous strain is com-
posed of a corrugated mold with two end plugs, a dilatometer
bench, a length measuring gauge, and a reference bar (see Fig.
1).
6.2 Molds—The molds consist of corrugated plastic tubes,
having a length of 420 6 5 mm and an outer diameter of 29 6
0.5 mm (see Note 2). The plastic tubes are made of 0.5 6
0.2-mm thick low-density polyethylene (PE) and have
triangular-shaped corrugations in order to minimize restraint in
the longitudinal direction (see Fig. 2). The distance between
corrugations is 5.8 6 0.2 mm. The mold is tightly closed with
two tapered end plugs having a length of 19 6 0.5 mm. The
diameter of the plastic end plugs tapers from 21 6 0.1 mm to
22.4 6 0.1 mm (see Fig. 3).
NOTE 2—The small diameter of the molds limits the temperature
differences that may arise during hydration of the cementitious materials.
Typical maximum temperature increase in the center of the test specimen,
due to heat of hydration of cement paste or mortar has been determined to

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corrugated mold system are in good agreement with unre-
strained length change measurements obtained using Test
be 2 °C. The maximum longitudinal restraint stress exerted by the molds
has been determined to be 0.001 MPa (6).
Method C157/C157M with sealed specimens (5); however,
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6.3 Dilatometer Bench—The dilatometer bench consists of
Test Method C157/C157M does not allow measurement of the three stainless steel rods with a diameter of 20 6 1.0 mm and
shrinkage occurring before 24 h (5). two stainless steel end plates. Technical drawings of a suitable
5.4 This test method can be used Document
to evaluate the effects of Preview
dilatometer bench are shown in Fig. 4. During measurement,
cementitious materials, admixtures, and mixture proportions the test specimen is positioned horizontally and is supported
on autogenous shrinkage strain of paste or mortar specimens. longitudinally by the two upper rods.
ASTM C1698-09 6.4 Length Measuring Gauge—A gauge measures length
changes at one end of the specimen. The measuring range of
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The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
this standard. the gauge shall be at least 10 mm and the resolution shall be at

NOTE 1—In the foreground a corrugated PE-mold with two specially shaped end plugs and a 425 mm reference bar. In the background the dilatometer
bench with a test specimen placed for length measurement. To the right a digital length gauge with remote control.
FIG. 1 A Suitable Dilatometer Bench with Accessories

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 C1698 − 09

FIG. 2 Corrugated Polyethylene Mold

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ASTM C1698-09
NOTE 1—Plastic Tube Wall Thickness 0.5 6 0.2 mm.
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FIG. 3 Outer Dimensions (mm) of Corrugated Low-Density Polyethylene Mold and End Plug

least 0.0025 mm, corresponding to a resolution of about 6
µm/m for the calculated strain.
6.5 Reference Bar—Measurements in the dilatometer are
performed relative to the length of the reference bar. The bar is
made of Invar with a length of 425 6 0.5 mm and a diameter
of 20 6 1.0, tapering to 10 6 1.0 mm at both ends as shown
in Fig. 5. The actual length of the reference bar shall be marked
permanently on the bar to the nearest 0.01 mm. Two plastic
rings with an external diameter 30 6 0.5 mm are mounted on
the reference bar, as shown in Fig. 1.
6.6 Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass
and Volume shall conform to the requirements of Specification
C1005.
6.7 Support Tube used to support the corrugated mold
during specimen fabrication. The support tube has a length of
400 6 5 mm and an inside diameter of 32 6 1 mm (see Fig.
6). The tube is attached to a base that can be fixed to a vibrating
table.
6.8 Vibrating Table as described in Practice C192/C192M.
6.9 Tamping Rod for consolidation of the paste or mortar. It
shall be made of a rigid, non-absorptive material that does not
react with the cementitious mixture. The length of the rod shall
be at least 500 mm and the diameter shall be 6 6 1 mm. The
ends may be flat or hemispherical.
7. Procedure
7.1 Number of Specimens—Three replicate specimens shall
be tested for each cement paste or mortar (see Note 3).
7.1.1 Mixing—Mix cement pastes and mortars according to
Practice C305. Record the time when the cementitious mate-
rials are added to the water.
7.1.2 Mixing Apparatus
7.1.2.1 Mortar Preparation—The mixer shall comply with
the sequence in Practice C305.
7.1.2.2 Paste Preparation—A high shear blender,6 or simi-
lar variable speed blender capable of maintaining a no-load
speed of at least 15 000 r/min, with optional cooling device. A
6
Mixing devices described in API Specification RP 10B-2/ISO 10426-2.

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 C1698 − 09

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NOTE 1—All dimensions are in mm (tolerance 6 0.5 %).

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FIG. 4 Technical Drawing of the Dilatometer Bench Shown in Fig. 1
Top: Plan View. Bottom: Elevation View of End Plate

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ASTM C1698-09
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NOTE 1—All dimensions are in mm and tolerances given in the text.

FIG. 5 Technical Drawing of the Reference Bar Shown in Fig. 1

hand-held household mixer capable of mixing paste at not less
than 400 r/min or other mixers for paste or mortar preparation
are also permitted.
NOTE 3—About 185 mL of cement paste or mortar are needed to fill
each corrugated mold. For a paste with a water-cement ratio of 0.4, this
corresponds to approximately 360 g of paste.
7.2 Filling and Closing of Molds—Clamp the mounting
base of the support tube to a vibrating table. Measure the
lengths of the plugs to be used for each specimen. Place a plug
into one end of the mold, and position the mold, with the closed
end down, inside the support tube. If the cementitious mixture
is pourable, slowly pour the mixture into the corrugated mold
with the vibrating table turned on (see Fig. 7). For a semi-fluid
mixture, fill the mold in four equal layers and compact each
layer 5 times with the tamping rod before each subsequent
layer is cast. The rod shall just penetrate the underlying layer.
For a stiff mixture, hand prepare rolled sections of the
cementitious mixture, drop them into the mold, and consolidate
with the tamping rod. To ensure that the cast specimens have
approximately the same length, do not stretch or compress the
corrugated mold during filling. For fluid mixtures, the corru-
gated mold shall be held only by the support tube during
casting. For semi-fluid and stiff mixtures, manually maintain
the initial length of the mold during compaction. Fill the mold
to approximately 15 mm below the top end of the mold to
allow room for the top end plug. Before mounting the top end
plug, gently compress the corrugated mold to bring the cement
paste or mortar in contact with the end plug. Mount the end
plug during relief of the compression of the corrugated mold.
Use a screwing motion of the end plug to ease the mounting
operation. Immediately after casting, carefully wipe the surface
of the corrugated mold with a dry cloth to remove any cement
paste, mortar, or water.